When I started running a few years ago... And then had the idea to write a picture book biography about Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with official race numbers... Even when I signed the contract for that book with my publisher, Page Street Kids -- I had no idea I would end up where I am today... an official runner for the 261 Fearless charity team for the 2019 Boston Marathon.

Sure, I joked about it a few times. ("Haha, I guess I have to run Boston now.") But in my mind I was terrified of the thought of running a marathon. Which seems ridiculous because I wrote a book about this insanely courageous woman who has devoted her life to giving women like me the opportunity to run that crazy distance any time we want.

The more I thought about that, the more I wanted to do it. The more I felt I had to do it. And then, I started to believe I could do it.

And so, my journey to that finish line on Boylston Street begins. Bring on the early morning training runs with my Best Running Friends (BRFs), under the stars because the sun has yet to show itself for the day. Bring on the New England winter that will try its best to deter me from my goal. And bring on the glory. The glory that comes with doing hard things...I'm ready.